GDC calls for action from Jeremy Hunt on unnecessary fitness to practise cases

The GDC has asked for action from Jeremy Hunt on unnecessary fitness to practise cases

Swift action to end unnecessary fitness to practise cases must be a priority for the new Government, the General Dental Council (GDC) has said.

The regulator has written to Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt, urging him to overhaul regulation of the profession after fierce criticism from dentists in the last parliament.

And it has urged Mr Hunt to focus on protests that too many everyday complaints are being treated as far more serious matters threatening patient safety.

The British Dental Association (BDA) has led criticism about the failure to resolve complaints at a local level, to avoid both dentists and patients being ‘left in limbo’ as fitness to practise cases drag on.

The controversy was also raised by MPs on the health select committee, earlier this year, when the GDC insisted only the Government had the power to act, by changing legislation.

Urgent reform

Now William Moyes, the GDC’s chairman, has written to Mr Hunt to stress the need for urgent reform to find an alternative way of investigating less serious cases.

The letter points out that fitness to practise processes are ‘adversarial in nature’, which means they can be stressful for patients and dental professionals.

Rob Merrick

Author at Dentistry.co.uk

2 responses to “GDC calls for action from Jeremy Hunt on unnecessary fitness to practise cases”

What a bunch of total hypocrites those clowns at the GDC are! Do they think ANYONE will be fooled by this pathetic smokescreen. Lay the blame right where it belongs, Mr Hunt. Start by sacking Moyes, that would engender you some respect within the profession. Then embark upon ‘root and branch’ reform of the whole rotten ‘organisation’.

Spot on Doc.
Where would the £19500 fees per day per hearing come from to line their pockets if they stopped the madness? Anybody who has bothered reading their allegations in misconduct charges recently ?

Not taking a social history ! Not taking a dental history ! Not writing the batch number of the LA used !
” when you treated UL6 , you failed to document which LA technique was used” i.e infiltration or Mandibular block ! Well what the f…… do you think it was if it was UL6 !!
After you performed the RCT on LL6 you failed to record which interim temporary material you used !
You failed to record which etch and bonding material you used when doing the composite filling in UR5 !
Can these clowns be taken seriously ?